CNN faced criticism from the White House on Monday for not livestreaming a ceremony honoring families of Americans who have died due to crimes committed by illegal immigrants.
Dedicating the event in the East Room of the White House, President Trump expressed condolences to families affected by illegal immigration. He stated, “There are Americans grieving the loss of parents, siblings, children, and grandchildren due to illegal immigration, which was tolerated by the previous administration.”
Several family members shared their personal stories during the event. At the conclusion, President Trump signed a proclamation declaring February 22nd as “National Angel Families Day.”
White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt publicly criticized CNN in several tweets for not adequately covering the event. “We stand with the Angel family, many of whom remain without justice,” the White House stated. They emphasized a commitment to initiate significant deportation efforts and address violence against law enforcement.
While CNN did not cover the ceremony during their 11 a.m. broadcast, the White House’s Kaylan Dole spoke out, referring to Trump’s event as “truly tear-jerking” and labeled CNN’s lack of coverage as “disgusting.” Dole stated that the “mask is off” regarding CNN’s reporting standards.
In a later mention, CNN reporter Kristen Holmes acknowledged the event, suggesting that the comments made by Trump focused on how the media fails to appreciate his efforts, especially in light of events like this one.
Criticism of CNN’s coverage was not limited to Dole. Leavitt stated, “CNN is an absolute disgrace,” arguing they showed no regard for victims of illegal immigration crimes. She noted that CNN covers news stories only when it aligns with a left-leaning agenda, leading to a decline in their viewership.
When NBC News’ Garrett Haak suggested Trump was attacking the media during the event, Leavitt countered that the president’s comments stemmed from a lack of coverage about the Angel families.
Republican communicator Steve Guest remarked that media bias is apparent not only in what gets reported but also in what doesn’t. He highlighted the media’s indifference to the stories of Americans harmed by illegal immigrants.
Rep. Derrick Van Orden expressed concern that if more Americans understood the severity of the impact of illegal aliens, they might rethink their support for the Democrats.
CNN did cover the event on their digital platforms as part of their broader coverage of the Trump administration’s policies on illegal immigration. However, they provided a defense, saying their attention was drawn to breaking news regarding a significant snowstorm that affected many Americans at the time of the event.
